Boys basketball: Wayne's world excellent as Morgan Park tops Marshall by one for city title

The junior Louisville recruit was joking, but he could not have been more serious about getting the ball in his hands this time around.

Blackshear banked in a running one-hander from about 10 feet away with 13.4 seconds remaining to give Morgan Park a 61-60 victory over Marshall and an improbable city championship Friday night at UIC Pavilion.

The Mustangs quarterfinal- and semifinal-round victories also came down to the last possession; Williams sank tie-breaking free throws in both cases.

"I was getting the ball this time," said Blackshear, who scored a game-high 21 points in front of Louisville coach Rick Pitino. "It was just a matter of taking what the defense gave me and executing. I was surprised they didn't double me, so I just went. That has to be the biggest shot I made in my life."

The game-winner was the 14th lead change

But Morgan Park (20-5) received a huge lift from unheralded junior Jerome Brown, who scored 18 points on six first-half 3-pointers to keep the Mustangs close.

"He was on fire," Blackshear said. "You don't know which Jerome Brown is going to show up."

"I was ready," Brown said. "I was focused. (Morgan Park coach) Nick (Irvin) did a great job preparing us. I was feeling it, and everybody just kept telling me to shoot."

Marshall (22-7) called timeout after Blackshear's clutch runner but did not get a shot off.

"A lot of people have been doubting us since the start of the season," Blackshear said. "Whoever doubted us, what can you say now? We're city champs."